The Athletics announced that they released reliever Brian Fuentes. They had designated the left-hander for assignment on July 3rd after a disappointing first half.
In 25 innings for the Athletics this year Fuentes posted a 6.84 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9. The 36-year-old is in the second year of a two-year, $10.5MM contract he signed following the 2010 season. He'll earn $5MM this year, but can now be signed by another team for a pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum salary. The Cardinals showed interest in Fuentes after the A's removed him from their roster.
Slopeboy
Let Go Mets! Let’s Go Mets! Let’s Go Mets!
tdw815
I second it.
DT Flush234
Your best source for quality Oakland Athletics news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.
Jdobb
He will be a Cardinal by the end of the week. They shold at least give him a shot.
corey23
I hope for your sake you’re not a card’s fan wanting fuentes… he is not very good.
Jdobb
Yes I am a Cards fan. We just really need a second lefty relief and it seams like a lot of guys do well here at the end. Nobody wanted Authur Roydes last year and we ended up giving him a shot and did well. Trust me when I say this Im not saying hes going to do great but hes worth a shot. What do you think?
corey23
he gave up 3 run walk off homeruns in back to back appearances…. good luck!
Anonymous Mcgee
that just means he’s due for a scoreless inning streak, don’t you know the sabermetrics about “being due”
Scott Worden
He also gave up a huge three-run home run to A-Rod in the 2009 ALCS that changed the whole momentum of the series. If he saves that game, the Angels would have been in good shape to beat the Yankees. C’est la vie. Listen to Corey. Fuentes is horrible.
melonis_rex
one of many exhibits in why multi-year deals to non-elite relievers are bad.
User 4245925809
Half the Orioles fans are now hoping Kevin Gregg is the next to get released.
not_brooks
Only half?
BradyAndersonsSideburns
The O’s magically pulled Pedro Strop for Mike Gonzalez last year so now they’re hoping someone else bites on a mediocre reliever
101andcounting
Cubs? They could use another bullpen arm. Shawn Camp can’t do it all by himself.
MeowMeow
Ben Cherington in 3…. 2…. 1….
Anonymous Mcgee
yeah if theres one thing the red sox dont have enough of, it’s filler players
User 4245925809
BP is actually a strength and leading both leagues since late April. They don’t even have roster space for some. Tazawa is blocked and someone will have to go when Hill comes back. Figures they have depth there and holes most everywhere else.
melonis_rex
To get Bobby Valentine fired, like fuentes did geren?
Justin 26
Now the cards can get him cheap and don’t have to foe up anybody for him now
Jdobb
Agree and its worth a shot.
Pete Reiman
Theres your Lefty Alderson. Grab him on the cheap
not_brooks
Awesome. Now we don’t have to listen to the A’s announcers pronounce his last name “FOO-EN-TESS” anymore. It’s pronounced “FWEN-TEZ” guys. Come on…
Scott Worden
It’s almost as bad as when announcers pronounce Mario “MARY-O”. For the love of God, pronounce it like it was meant to be pronounced. lol
D.j. Wilson
Ugh why didn’t we trade him to the Cardinals and at least get SOMETHING?
melonis_rex
because he’s terrible and taking up a roster spot when melvin (intelligently) hadn’t pitched him in weeks.
and nobody was going to give up anything of value for fuentes.
D.j. Wilson
I’m talking ANYTHING. Just a name. It’s just annoying to have to release him
Scott Worden
It’s hard to trade worthless goods. I’m an Angels fan. We’re stuck with Vernon Wells for 2.5 more years unless we just release him and pretend that it didn’t happen.
bigpat
Yankess Sign (anyone with a pulse) to a minor league contract.
Scott Worden
I wish the Yankees would sign him. 😉
Jason Champion
Next on the docket; Grant Balfour.
Snoochies8
Could be Blevins too, sort of like a Ziegler deal
Iconoclast17
Makes sense financially, though I hope the A’s do better than they usually do with their mid-season trades. He’s one of the best set-up men in the business. Colon is cheap and good, so why not keep him, and McCarthy is broken. Nobody is giving up anything for either one.
Next up—Derek Barton. Just cut him and put him out of his misery. I’m pretty sure the RC’s need 1B for a youngster with potential.
Jaysfan724
You know AA is gonna be interested after losing Luis Perez.
Richard Allen
I could see him reuniting with the purple pinstripes. They could use any type of pitching, even if it is a rapidly declining Fuentes. They just need more options, and this could be one.